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. 2021 Feb 26;41(2):BSR20204114.
doi: 10.1042/BSR20204114.

Preventive role of probiotic bacteria against gastrointestinal diseases in mice caused by Giardia lamblia

Wafa A Al-Megrin  1 , Shadia H Mohamed  2 , Moudy M Saleh  3 , Hany M Yehia  4   5
Affiliations

Preventive role of probiotic bacteria against gastrointestinal diseases in mice caused by Giardia lamblia

Wafa A Al-Megrin et al. Biosci Rep. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Giardiasis is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal diseases in the world. It is caused by Giardia, Giardia lamblia, a common and opportunistic zoonotic parasite. The aim of our work is to find a natural and safe alternative treatment for giardiasis, specifically, to determine if probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Lactobacillus helveticus) can contribute to treatment, and act as preventives. Sixty weanling albino mice, Mus musculus, were divided into control and experimental, probiotic-fed groups. We determined infection intensity, and cure and prevention rates of giardiasis through ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) of stool samples and histopathological comparison of intestinal tissue. In experimental groups, there was a significant reduction in infection intensity (P<0.001) on days 10, 15, and 20, while cure rate reached 87.5%. The control group showed no signs of reduced infection or cure and only the group treated with probiotics prior to infection showed significant prevention rates. In the experimental groups, intestinal changes due to giardiasis appeared 7 days post-infection. However, almost all of these changes disappeared by the 25th day. Our results suggest a beneficial and significant effect of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of giardiasis in mice.

Keywords: ELISA; Giardia lamblia; histopathological studies; probiotics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there are no competing interests associated with the manuscript.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. The incidence of Giardia cysts
In the stool from different study groups during infection.
Figure 2
Figure 2. A section of jejunum from a mouse
In control group IIA, (A) integration in some villi, (B) cellular infiltration, and (C) showing the density of the trophozoites between the cells and their adhesion to the mucous surface of cells (H & E, 400×).
Figure 3
Figure 3. A section of jejunum from a mouse
In experimental group IB, showing (A) integration in some villi, (B) increase in cellular infiltration, and (C) presence of some trophozoites (H & E, 400×).
Figure 4
Figure 4. A section of jejunum from a mouse
In experimental group IB on the 25th day, showing the (A) complete disappearance of trophozoites and that the villi is restored to its normal shape (H & E, 20×).
Figure 5
Figure 5. A section of jejunum from a mouse
In experimental group IA on the tenth day, showing (A) inflation in Bayer cells, (B) increase in cellular infiltration, and (C) presence of some trophozoites and disappearance of trophozoites (H & E, 200×).
Figure 6
Figure 6. A section of jejunum from a mouse
In experimental group IA on the 25th day, showing the return of the villi to its natural shape and composition (H & E, 200×).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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